Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Voosto ("we," "us," "our"). Voosto is a social travel application that connects travelers and locals for meetups, activities, and shared experiences. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application ("App") available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

By using Voosto, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Account Information: First name, last name, email address, and password when you create an account.
• Profile Information: Date of birth, gender, country of origin, mobile phone number, profile photo (required, with face verification), bio, Instagram handle (optional), travel styles, and personal interests.
• Activity Preferences: Your preferred activity types for notifications and discovery.
• Referral Information: How you heard about Voosto.
• User Content: Messages sent through in-app conversations, trip details, posts, and any other content you create or share within the App.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Location Data: With your permission, we collect your approximate location to connect you with nearby travelers and discover local activities. Your exact location is never displayed—only your approximate area is shown to other users.
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, and push notification tokens for delivering notifications.
• Usage Data: App interactions, features used, and session information to improve our services.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• Google Sign-In: If you choose to sign in with Google, we receive your name, email address, and profile picture from your Google account.
• Firebase Services: We use Firebase for authentication, push notifications (Firebase Cloud Messaging), and analytics.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and maintain the App: Create and manage your account, enable profile completion, and deliver core features including trip planning, messaging, friend connections, and activity discovery.
• Connect travelers: Match you with nearby travelers and locals based on your location, interests, and travel style.
• Send notifications: Deliver push notifications about messages, friend requests, nearby activities, trip updates, and other relevant events (with your permission).
• Verify identity: Use face detection technology (Google ML Kit) on your profile photo to ensure that uploaded photos contain a visible face, enhancing trust and safety in our community. Face detection is performed on-device; no biometric data is stored or transmitted.
• Improve our services: Analyze usage patterns and preferences to enhance the user experience.
• Ensure safety: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and other harmful activities.
• Communicate with you: Send service-related emails, including verification codes, password resets, and important account updates.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• With other users: Your profile information (name, photo, age, country, bio, interests, travel style) is visible to other Voosto users to facilitate connections. Your phone number and email address are not shared with other users.
• Service providers: We use third-party services to operate and improve the App, including:
  • Google Firebase: Authentication, cloud messaging, and analytics.
  • Google Maps: Map display and location services.
  • Google ML Kit: On-device face detection (no data sent to Google for this feature).
  • Cloud hosting: Secure storage for user data and uploaded images.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, legal process, or government request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Voosto, our users, or others.

5. Data Storage and Security

• Your data is stored on secure servers with industry-standard encryption.
• Passwords are hashed and never stored in plain text.
• Authentication tokens are used for secure session management.
• We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access your data: View your profile information within the App.
• Update your data: Edit your profile details, interests, and preferences at any time through the App settings.
• Delete your account: Request deletion of your account and associated data by contacting us at the email below.
• Control permissions: Manage location and notification permissions through your device settings at any time.
• Withdraw consent: You may withdraw consent for data processing at any time, though this may limit certain App features.

7. Children's Privacy

Voosto is not intended for users under 18 years of age. We enforce a minimum age of 18 during registration. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 18. If we discover that a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will promptly delete it.

8. Location Data

• Location data is collected only with your explicit permission.
• You can enable or disable location services at any time through your device settings.
• Only your approximate area is displayed to other users—your exact location is never revealed.
• Location data is used to discover nearby activities and connect you with travelers in your area.

9. Push Notifications

• Push notifications are sent only with your permission.
• You can manage notification preferences in your device settings at any time.
• Notifications may include messages, friend requests, nearby activity alerts, and trip updates.

10. Third-Party Services

Our App uses the following third-party services that may collect information:

11. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. If you request account deletion, we will delete your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal or regulatory purposes.

12. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy within the App and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, or if you wish to exercise your data rights, please contact us at: